Putin congratulates Roh Moo Hyun on his election as South Korean president

The Russian leader expressed his belief that the presidential activities of Roh Moo Hyun would ensure "the succession of the policy of enhancing friendly ties and strengthening fruitful co-operation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. "In connection with this," Putin said, "I count on maintaining close business and personal contacts" with the new South Korean President.

"We expect that your election will give new breath to the inter-Korean dialogue which will no doubt help improvement of the situation in the North-Eastern Asia on the whole", Putin's message to the new South Korean leader reads.